Global warming, diminishing species diversity, and acid rain are “capital P” Problems that seem very far away to a young child. A glob of honey, on the other hand, is immediate and sweet. We have to take care of the bees because they pollinate the beautiful flowers and make us tasty honey.

Raising children who feel connected, in ways both big and small, is our best hope for a better planet.

Last weekend we went to one of the many beautiful wildlife refuges on Long Island for their Earth Day Eco-Festival.

This was a slingshot used to fling a squirrel. Allegedly, this was teaching the kids about flying squirrels. I would buy this as a physics lesson but not really a biology one. Oh, well, it was fun and isn’t that enough?

Most importantly, we deepened our ties with the natural world, one fluffy friend, one tree, one trail at a time.

Adults are not so different from children. Self-interest is a powerful motivator. And enlightened self-interest can be a powerful force for good. Energy efficient appliances are not only good for the planet, they are good for the wallet. Biodiversity is a key to an abundant food source and preserving potentially medicinal plants. Supporting local, organic farmers reduces energy consumption and strengthens the local economy–plus the food is healthy and delicious.

We have one world and it is all connected. You cannot put up a fence to keep out pollution. You cannot harm part of our planet without diminishing it all.

How are you connected? Tell me how you can create a smarter life and better planet, and encourage positive change for generations to come. Comment below to be entered to win a Haier Energy Star Dehumidifier! Official Contest Rules.

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About the Author

Candace Lindemann is a published children’s writer and educational consultant. She holds a B.A. from Yale University and an M.Ed. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Working with school districts around the country and some of the most well-known companies in the education industry, Candace creates custom strategies, textbooks, and lesson plans. Her articles have appeared in print and online.

While Candace’s degrees prepared her for a career in education, she’s found that the best preparation for parenting is on the job training.